Want to get a beautiful smile with a minimal amount of worry or effort? Traditional metal braces are the tried-and-true way of correcting “malocclusions” (misalignments) in the mouth. Traditional metal braces are used by both kids and adults to achieve a great-looking smile.
Braces are the most common and well-known of the fixed orthodontic appliances. Braces consist of bands, wires, and/or brackets. Bands are fixed around the teeth or tooth and used as anchors for the appliance, while brackets are most often bonded to the front of the tooth. Archwires are passed through the brackets and attached to the bands. Changing the archwire applies a gentle force to the teeth, gradually moving them to their proper position.
Braces are usually adjusted every 6-8 weeks to bring about the desired results, which may be achieved within a few months to a few years. Today’s braces are smaller, lighter, and show far less metal, making them much more comfortable than braces of the past. Modern elastics come in bright colors for kids as well as clear styles preferred by many adults.
While traditional metal braces cannot correct every orthodontic issue, they can be used for a vast majority of common teeth issues. These include misaligned teeth, crowded teeth, gapped teeth, and bites that don’t fit together properly.
Traditional metal braces are a safe and easy way to straighten teeth, improve your bite, and get a beautiful smile. For people who just want to have a permanent appliance rather than worrying about losing a removable one, traditional braces may be preferred. Many of our patients love Invisalign® clear aligners, which are another great option. But if you (or your child) have a tendency to forget things like glasses or a dental appliance that was removed for eating, metal braces, which cannot be removed, may be a better option.
Braces typically are worn from one to three years, and during this time, you will need to visit our office on a regular basis to have your braces adjusted. These adjustments are needed as your (or your child’s) teeth move slowly and gently into place. Once the traditional metal braces have done their job, you or your child will wear a retainer to maintain the positive changes to your smile. Retainers are worn indefinitely, starting with daily for 24 hours for the first few months of treatment, then to nighttime wear.
Call us to schedule a complimentary orthodontic consultation at our modern, clean office in Sudbury, MA. We will review you or your child’s unique needs and go over the various options for treatment. If you decide to utilize traditional metal braces, a thorough exam will be done along with X-rays and other imaging if needed. We will then schedule a treatment plan to help you or your child achieve a beautiful smile with traditional metal braces.
Call our office today for a complimentary orthodontic evaluation at (978) 443-5431. Our Sudbury orthodontic office has flexible appointment times to accommodate your schedule.